Rotary seeks patrons for Storybook Lane

Storybook Lane has been a Christmas season tradition in New Philadelphia for more than half a century, most recently thanks to the generosity of patrons’ donations to help pay for the upkeep, but new sponsors are also needed.

Storybook Lane has been a Christmas season tradition in New Philadelphia for more than half a century, most recently thanks to the generosity of patrons’ donations to help pay for the upkeep, but new sponsors are also needed.

The Mother Goose characters, installed over the holidays at Tuscora park, include brightly painted figures and scenes depicting classic nursery rhymes such as” Mary Had A Little Lamb,” “Humpty Dumpty” and many others. The lighted display will be open nightly in the park during December.

Storybook Lane was adopted by the New Philadelphia Rotary Club in 2003 when members renovated the 24 Mother Goose characters that were nearly 50 years old then.

The character boards were repaired and repainted, missing parts replaced, and the moving mechanisms and motors were repaired or replaced. Lighting for the display was entirely new at the time.

Craig Cairns, Rotary Club president, said sponsor and patron donations in the past have helped to pay the expense of repairs and repainting.

“The majority of our original sponsors have renewed their support for another period of time,” Cairns said, “but we invite those interested in supporting Storybook Lane to become listed on our Patron Board.”

Carins said Patron listings are $100 for a three-year period.

To become a patron of Storybook Lane send an e-mail to Rotarian Carey Gardner at cgardner71170@roadrunner.com or call (330) 343-4733 with your name and mailing address.

Deadline to become a patron is Monday.

Cairns says the funds will be used by the Rotary Club in the coming years to ensure Storybook Lane remains a Christmas season tradition for the hundreds of children and adults who drive by each evening.

“Parents and grandparents remember the verses from their childhood while their children and grandchildren can learn the classic rhymes and stories for the first time,” Cairns added.